The 36-year-old Porter notched 98 sacks in 13 NFL seasons (1998-2011). The first eight of those seasons were with Pittsburgh. Facing pending salary-cap troubles, the club released Porter in March 2007, less than two months into Mike Tomlin’s tenure as head coach.

Now, Porter’s back in Pittsburgh — and as a member of Tomlin’s coaching staff.

34 responses to “Steelers adding Joey Porter to coaching staff”

It will be interesting to see the reaction of the Stiller fans who all thought he was the best player in the history of the game when he was a Stiller, then thought he totally sucked when he left (simply because he left). I suppose now he is back to being the best that ever was.

Now if only we could get someone as good as Porter on the Steelers’ LB corp. I wonder if Porter has anything left in the tank. Heck if we’re taping Troy up and marching him out there on Sundays, why not Joey!

Let’s get one thing straight: Porter was released mainly because the Steelers had a stud waiting in the wings: James Harrison, a five-time All-Pro selection in six seasons as a starter, the DPY in 2008 and a Super Bowl game-changer. Releasing Porter in favor of Harrison is one of the few personnel decisions Tomlin has gotten right in his seven-year coaching career.
Having said that, the hiring of Porter is an interesting move, considering that he and Tomlin had no previous relationship.
Welcome back, J-Peazy.

gotta like bringing munchak and now porter they have credibility because they both got it done on the field . 55 always had fire and brought an attitude that outlasted his actual time with the club.
Assuming he can inject some of that fire it will help the defense rebound to previous levels of play.

Oh, this makes me sooo unbelievably happy!!! As for the nonsense about Steelers fans loving, then hating Joey Porter, that’s absurd. Joey was voted one of the all-time favorite Steeler players while he was with the Dolphins. I still loved him while he was in Miami and in Arizona. And when Colorado State played Bama last season, I spent more time texting my family at the game about Joey than about the Tide. That Colorado State team was seriously overmatched, but those kids played with the passion you’d expect from anyone Joey influences. He’s exactly what our defense needs.

The only time I had a chance to see Porter play is when I went to Cleveland and watched my Steelers roll over the Browns (who by the way are as dysfunctional as a Sochi bathroom). Porter was tossed from the game before it started. Some guy named James Harrison filled in quite nicely.

Glad to see #55 back in the fold. As for the comment about people likeing him then hateing him when he left, true Steeler fans loved Joey even when he was with another team and are so happy to have him back and now maybe he can not only light a fire under the players rear ends but maybe light one under Tomlins as well!

Welcome back Joey Bring that fire and toughness to the Outside LB corp and show them the way. This is an excellent move by the Steelers to help Jarvis Jones and others. Joey played the game very well. Great move Steelers